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WILKES-BARRE — The Department of Health reported Monday that there were 104 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and two new deaths.
That brings the total number of confirmed cases in Luzerne County to 9,760; the death count is at 273.
Neighboring Lackawanna County has 5,214 cases and 231 deaths; Monroe County has 3,413 cases and 143 deaths.
The Department of Health confirmed that there were 4,268 new cases reported Monday, in addition to 5,529 new cases reported Sunday, for a two-day total of 9,797 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 361,464.
There are 4,405 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 918 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.
The trend in the 14-day moving average of number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 3,000 since the end of September.
Statewide percent positivity for the week of Nov, 20-Nov. 26, stood at 11.7%.
At a virtual news conference Monday, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine talked about the state’s coronavirus exposure notification app that can now be used by mobile phone users as young as 13.
The app, which debuted two months ago, is named — COVID AlertPa, — and previously was limited for users 18 and older.
“By expanding the age range, middle- and high-school students will be able to add their phones to the fight and help in contact tracing that occurs in their schools if a positive case is identified,” Levine said.
Levine said a parent or legal guardian must approve a minor’s use of the app.
Levine was joined by acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega, who said some school districts continue to conduct in-person instruction, even though every county has passed the thresholds of new cases where the state Department of Education recommended fully remote instruction.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between Nov. 23 and Nov. 29, is 392,547 with 47,557 positive cases. There were 47,836 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., Nov. 28, and 33,486 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., Nov. 29.
As of 11:59 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, there were 75 new deaths and as of 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29, there were 32 new deaths reported for a total of 10,383 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
There are 16,951 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 639 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
There are 2,828,049 individuals who have tested negative to date.
The department has seen significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics.
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 35,367 resident cases of COVID-19, and 6,661 cases among employees, for a total of 42,028 at 1,266 distinct facilities in 64 counties.
Out of our total deaths, 6,477 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.
Approximately 14,499 of our total cases are among health care workers.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.